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Islamic World News ( 3 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Chaos in Cairo as Mubarak backers, opponents clash; several dead, 500 hurt

Tens of thousands of Yemenis demonstrate in Sanaa

Jordan's opposition says new PM must step down

Girl whipped to death by clerics for illicit affair in Bangladesh

WikiLeaks nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Kerala High Court clears way for India's first Islamic bank

Qaida plotting ‘nuclear 9/11’, say Wiki cables

Five months before 26/11, India warned US of 'white faces' in terror camps

For better Indo-Pak ties, India suppressed infiltration figures: WikiLeaks

Yemeni president says he won't seek another term

Six killed in fresh violence in Egypt

Protesters say now more determined to topple Mubarak

Egypt's ElBaradei, Islamists reject govt talks offer

3 dead, 1500 injured as clashes continue in Cairo

Concern over Muslim girls’ misuse of mobile phones in Bhiwandi

Burqa clad woman beaten up for adultery, burqa burnt in Bhiwandi

US warns citizens against travelling to Pakistan

Police nab Hizbul worker who distributed Rs 70K to stone-pelters

Egypt protests: Third batch of Indians arrives in Mumbai

Israeli PM says Iran wants 'another Gaza' in Egypt

Nitish reads the Egypt act to UPA

Al-Qaeda suspects killed in Mauritania

Violence against women: 8,433 cases registered in Punjab in two years

Afghan, Pakistani troops exchange fire; one killed

I will not be President for life, says Saleh

Israeli PM says Iran wants 'another Gaza' in Egypt

7/7 bombers trained by unknown

Bangladesh: 44 Rajshahi jawans jailed

Govt asked to explain failure to stop fatwa

Gunfire pounds anti-Mubarak protest camp in Cairo:

Women key to economic growth in Middle East

Hamas rejects holding elections in Palestinian territories

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/chaos-cairo-mubarak-backers,-opponents/d/4058

 

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Chaos in Cairo as Mubarak backers, opponents clash; several dead, 500 hurt

Feb 2, 2011

CAIRO: Angry partisans of President Hosni Mubarak stormed a crowded anti-regime rally in a central Cairo square on Wednesday, sparking pandemonium in which at least 500 people were hurt, witnesses said.

Supporters from both sides threw stones and battled with sticks and fists in Tahrir square, the epicentre of nine days of protests, in the clashes that broke out early afternoon and were continuing after sunset.

The protesters swelled the square again from early morning on Wednesday to demand that Mubarak stand down after the 82-year-old president vowed that he would stay on until the end of his term.

The White House, which has called for restraint since demonstrations broke out nine days ago, deplored and condemned Wednesday's violence against "peaceful protesters."

"There have been at least 500 wounded people, only here," a medical source told AFP at a makeshift hospital set up at a mosque near Tahrir Square.

Others could have been taken to other hospitals, medics said.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon called the attacks on protesters as "unacceptable."

Since the January 25 outbreak of unrest, at least 300 people have died and well over 3,000 been hurt.

As the fighting erupted, soldiers deployed in the square took cover from the projectiles just hours after the army urged people to go home and allow a return to normality.

Initially, some stood on tanks and appealed in vain for calm but did not otherwise intervene.

After sundown, with Molotov cocktails being thrown, troops opened up on the crowd with water hoses to disperse protesters.

Tear gas was also fired, but it was not clear by whom.

Amid the afternoon chaos, Mubarak partisans charged in on camel and horseback, an AFP correspondent said.

At least six riders were dragged from their beasts, beaten with sticks and taken away with blood streaming down their faces.

The worst of the fighting was just outside the world famous Egyptian Museum, which was targeted by vandals last week.

After nightfall, two Molotov cocktails landed inside the grounds of the museum, which is home to a priceless collection of antiquities.

The renewed violence comes despite calls by close ally the United States and other nations for Egyptian authorities to allow anti-government protests to proceed peacefully, with both sides exercising restraint.

"The United States deplores and condemns the violence that is taking place in Egypt, and we are deeply concerned about attacks on the media and peaceful demonstrators. We repeat our strong call for restraint," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

Tensions rose after Mubarak addressed the nation late on Tuesday, pledging not to run for re-election in September after 29 years in power.

But Mubarak did not offer to step down immediately, the key demand of protesters who have flooded the streets of Egypt's cities for nine straight days.

Despite years of ambiguity over whether he would seek a sixth term and his refusal until this week to even name a vice president, Mubarak insisted he had never intended to stay in office beyond this year.

"I say in all honesty, and without taking into consideration the current situation, I was not planning to present myself for a new presidential term," he said.

Egypt is "the nation I have defended and in which I will die," he said, rejecting the possibility he might flee as veteran Tunisian strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali did in January after a popular revolt ended his rule.

Mubarak said the country had a choice "between chaos and stability" after the clashes between protesters and security personnel.

"My first responsibility is now to bring security and stability to the nation to ensure a peaceful transition of power."

Those remarks were seized upon by US President Barack Obama, who spoke to Mubarak after the speech, and announced on television that had told the Egyptian president an orderly transition needed to begin immediately.

"What is clear, and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful and it must begin now," Obama said.

The European Union echoed that on Wednesday, with foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton urging Mubarak to act "as quickly as possible."

But Egypt roundly rejected those demands in a statement from the foreign ministry.

"What foreign parties are saying about 'a period of transition beginning immediately' in Egypt is rejected," as such calls seek to "inflame the internal situation in Egypt," spokesman Hossam Zaki said in the statement.

So far, the only changes offered by Mubarak have been to seek to amend the constitution to impose terms limits on the presidency and to make it easier for people to run for the job.

Protesters have said they would proceed with plans for a massive protest on Friday, their designated "departure day" for Mubarak.

"We will demonstrate on Friday, the 'Friday of Departure', and we expect more than one million people to take to the streets across all of Egypt to demand the fall of the regime," opposition activist Iman Hassan told AFP.

And the opposition Muslim Brotherhood said there was "no alternative" but ending Mubarak's regime, rejecting his plans to leave after his mandate ends.

On Wednesday morning, a military spokesman said "the army calls on protesters to go home to restore security and stability in the street."

That call set the stage for confrontation with protesters, who had been buoyed by a promise from the military that it regarded the protesters grievances as "legitimate" and would not open fire.

Ahead of Wednesday's clashes, supporters of the president staged a number of rallies around Cairo, saying Mubarak represented stability amid growing insecurity, and calling those who want his departure "traitors."

"Yes to Mubarak, to protect stability," read one banner in a crowd of 500 gathered near state television headquarters, about one kilometre (0.6 mile) from Tahrir Square.

A witness said organisers were paying people 100 Egyptian pounds (12 euros, $17) to take part in the pro-Mubarak rally.

"What more do you want? In any case Mubarak won't stay. You must leave or blood will flow," the small but vociferous crowd shouted.

The revolt has sent jitters throughout the Middle East, coming after the uprising in Tunisia and with analysts warning of a domino effect through the Arab world.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, also facing demands that he quit, said on Wednesday he will freeze constitutional changes that would have allowed him to be president for life and delayed a controversial April poll.

In Jordan, King Abdullah II sacked his government after weeks of demands for change, while a Facebook group of Syrian youth called for a peaceful revolution to start on Friday.

And in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the uprising sweeping through Egypt could destabilise the region "for many years."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Chaos-in-Cairo-as-Mubarak-backers-opponents-clash-500-hurt-/articleshow/7412414.cms#ixzz1CtTsg3q3

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Tens of thousands of Yemenis demonstrate in Sanaa

Feb 3, 2011

SANAA: Tens of thousands of protesters massed on Thursday at Sanaa University for a "day of rage" against Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, while a similar number of loyalists flooded a central square in support of the embattled Yemeni president, AFP correspondents said.

The protest, the biggest staged against Saleh in past weeks, came despite the president announcing Wednesday that he would not seek another term and that he had postponed controversial April elections -- two key opposition demands.

Opposition leaders, who have been calling protesters onto the streets in a bid to force Saleh into making reforms, had said they would push on with Thursday's planned "day of rage" but that they would also study his latest announcements.

Their plans were affected when armed supporters of Saleh's General People's Congress took over Al-Tahrir Square, the planned protest venue, on Wednesday night, setting up tents and carrying portraits of the president.

Protest organisers from early Thursday then drove through the streets blaring out over megaphones that the venue had been changed to Sanaa university, about two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the square.

They blamed the change on the fact that "the men of the ruling party and their armed elements are holding Al-Tahrir."

The switch in venue did little to dampen the enthusiasm of protesters, who flocked to the university where they were joined by leaders of the Common Forum, an alliance of five parliamentary opposition parties including the Islamist Al-Islah and the Yemeni Socialist Party.

Protesters held banners reading, "The people demand a change" of regime, and "No to a hereditary regime, no to an extension of mandate." Saleh pledged he would not seek either on Wednesday.

Protesters expressed solidarity with Egyptian demonstrators who were on Thursday staging a 10th day of increasingly bloody protests against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak.

"May God help the Egyptian people against the tyrant Hosni Mubarak," the protesters chorused, while police stood at a distance.

At Al-Tahrir Square, tens of thousands of loyalists -- about the same sized crowd as the protesters -- pledged their support for Saleh and carried banners reading, "We are with Ali Abdullah Saleh. We are with Yemen," "The opposition wants to destroy Yemen" and "No to destruction, no to sedition."

Facing demands for him to quit, Saleh on Wednesday announced that he would not seek another term as president, and said he will freeze plans to change the constitution that would have enabled him to remain president for life.

He also said he was opposed to hereditary rule, a response to suspicion among critics that was grooming his eldest son Ahmed Saleh, who commands an elite unit of the Yemeni army, to succeed him as president.

In what appeared to be yet another bid to stave off the kind of mass anti-regime protests that have swept Tunisia and Egypt and which have rippled throughout the Arab world, Saleh also announced he would postpone controversial elections due in April.

Mohammed al-Sabri of the Common Forum said Saleh's call to halt protests was "unacceptable." However, he said the group would "discuss the president's announcement."

There have been clashes during previous protests against Saleh, including on January 29, when dozens of activists calling for his ouster fought with regime supporters in Sanaa. Plain-clothes police also attacked demonstrators.

Facing growing protests since last month's downfall of Tunisia's president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the wave of anti-regime protests in Egypt, Saleh has also urged the government to take measures against unemployment and ordered that social security coverage be extended.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Tens-of-thousands-of-Yemenis-demonstrate-in-Sanaa-/articleshow/7418437.cms#ixzz1CtgRsgUN

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Jordan's opposition says new PM must step down

By DALE GAVLAK

Feb 3, 2011

AMMAN: Jordan's powerful Islamist opposition on Wednesday urged the country's newly appointed prime minister to step down, calling him the wrong person to introduce democratic reforms and tackle deepening poverty and unemployment.

Also, Jordan's King Abdallah made a surprise visit to an impoverished northern village. It was his first such trip since the unrest broke out in neighboring Egypt, and appeared to be an attempt to defuse popular anger over the country's troubles and portray himself as a caring leader.

On Tuesday, Abdallah named Maruf Bakhit prime minister, bowing to public pressure from protests inspired by those in Egypt against President Hosni Mubarak.

Hamza Mansour, a leader of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, rejected Bakhit's nomination, saying he ”is not the right person for the job.” “Bakhit is a security man, a former army general and ex-intelligence official. He doesn't believe in democracy,” Mansour told The Associated Press. Instead, he said the country needs “a national figure who can tackle Jordan's serious economic and political crisis.” Jordan is grappling with a soaring foreign debt estimated at $15 billion, an inflation rate which has swelled by 1.5 percent to 6.1 percent in December and high unemployment and poverty rates — set at 12 and 25 percent respectively.

Mansour also criticized Bakhit for signing off on Jordan's first casino, which the Brotherhood strongly opposed on the grounds that it violated Islamic principles and encouraged vice. The project was later canceled.

On Tuesday, Abdallah, facing public pressure inspired by the revolt in Tunisia and Egypt, sacked his government and named Bakhit as prime minister, ordering him to move quickly to boost economic opportunities and give Jordanians a greater say in politics.

Bakhit, 63, is a former ambassador to Israel who supports strong ties with the US and Jordan's peace treaty with Israel — policies which the Brotherhood and the leftists oppose. The Brotherhood advocates the introduction of Shariah law, close relations with Muslim nations and Israel's destruction.

Many Jordanians see Bakhit as a tough enforcer of security, which goes against their calls for greater democratic freedoms. Bakhit is an ex-army major general who also served as the chief of Jordan's National Security Agency in the last decade. He is credited with maintaining Jordan's stability following the 2005 triple attacks on hotels in Amman, claimed by Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

At a small protest Wednesday near Bakhit's office, leftist activist Hadi Khitan said Bakhit was no different from deposed Prime Minister Samir Rifai.

“We want to change government policies, not change prime ministers,” he said. “We want a real political change and this message should reach the king.” Abdallah made his surprise visit to the northern village of Ghoret Qassim near Mafraq, 120 km away from Amman.

State television showed Abdallah shaking hands with jubilant men and children as women ululated. Mobs surrounded the monarch as he walked through the village unescorted. In one clip, the king was shown sitting on a floor mattress, taking notes of people's grievances, which included improved sewage and roads.

“I promise you I will do my best to help improve the infrastructure in this village,” he said to loud applause.

http://arabnews.com

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Girl whipped to death by clerics for illicit affair in Bangladesh

Feb 3, 2011

DHAKA: A 14-year-old girl was whipped to death by clerics for allegedly having an illicit relationship with a married man triggering massive protests across Bangladesh.

The clerics ordered 14-year-old Mosammet Hena to be whipped by 100 lashes in a Fatwah or a religious court at a village in the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday for allegedly carrying on with a married man.

The girl collapsed midway after being lashed 70 times publicly with a bamboo cane and had to be rushed to hospital where she died hours later.

The 40-year-old man with whom Hena was having an affair was also sentenced to 100 lashes. But the man fled to escape the punishment.

The street fury prompted the high court to demand an explanation from the government for failure to save the girl, despite a court ruling banning religious courts from taking action in such cases.

A two-member high court bench took a "suo-motu" notice of the punishment meted out by the religious court and asked the district police chief and two other administrative officials to explain within 15 days why they "failed" to protect the girl.

The bench comprising justices Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain also asked them what action had been taken against the culprits who ordered the lashings.

Another high court bench comprising justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and justice Nazrul Islam Talukder in a nearly identical suo motto order on Wednesday asked law enforcement agencies to submit a report within three weeks explaining what steps were taken to comply with its earlier order to stop "extra judicial killings" in the name of fatwa.

Fatwas are illegal in Bangladesh, a Muslim majority nation.

The bench also ordered the information ministry to run a media campaign to create awareness among people against extra-judicial punishments by religious courts.

Media reports and officials, however, suggested that the girl was a rape victim but the influential village leaders and clerics instead of taking actions against the rapist ordered Hena to be lashed 100 times for "illicit relations".

This was the second such incident of Islamic courts handing out extra-judicial penalties since October last year.

Following the court intervention, police claimed they had arrested four clerics.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Girl-whipped-to-death-by-clerics-for-illicit-affair-in-Bangladesh/articleshow/7418546.cms#ixzz1Ctg6bb7q

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WikiLeaks nominated for Nobel Peace Prize:

Feb 2, 2011

OSLO, Norway: A Norwegian lawmaker says he has nominated WikiLeaks for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

Snorre Valen of the Socialist Left Party says the secret-spilling website has promoted human rights, democracy and freedom of speech just like last year’s winner, imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.

The 26-year-old legislator wrote on his blog Wednesday that WikiLeaks has exposed “corruption, war crimes and torture” through its releases of classified documents. He also cited disclosures of nepotism and corruption in Tunisia’s presidential family, saying WikiLeaks “made a small contribution to bringing down” that regime.

The prize committee typically receives more than 200 nominations. The nomination deadline for the 2011 prize was Tuesday.

http://arabnews.com

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Kerala High Court clears way for India's first Islamic bank

Ananthakrishnan G

Feb 3, 2011

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The secular republic of India is all set to have its first Islamic bank.

The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed petitions challenging the Kerala government's decision to establish India's first Islamic Bank which will work on the principles of Shariah.

The order came from a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J Chalameswar and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon, which rejected petitions filed by Janata Party President Subramaniam Swamy and another. The petitioners contended that the state establishing a bank which will work on the principles of a religion will violate the principle of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. However, the court did not agree.

Reacting to the HC verdict, Swamy said he will consider appealing to the Supreme Court after going through the full text. ``I will challenge the same if it was dismissed on merits,'' he said.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-High-Court-clears-way-for-Indias-first-Islamic-bank/articleshow/7417686.cms#ixzz1CtVpql18

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Qaida plotting ‘nuclear 9/11’, say Wiki cables

Feb 3, 2011

LONDON: Al-Qaida has been trying to stockpile "dirty" nuclear explosives and recruit rogue scientists to plot 9/11-like terror attacks in world's major cities, secret US diplomatic cables leaked by WikiLeaks have revealed.

Tomihiro Taniguchi, the deputy director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has warned the US that the world faces the threat of a "nuclear 9/11", if stores of uranium and plutonium were not secured against terrorists, the Telegraph reported citing the leaked documents.

But the diplomats visiting the IAEA's headquarters in Austria's capital Vienna in April 2008 said that there was "no way to provide perimeter security" to its own laboratory because it has windows that leave it vulnerable to break-ins.

At a Nato meeting in January 2009, security chiefs briefed member states that al-Qaeda was plotting a programme of "dirty radioactive IEDs" , makeshift nuclear roadside bombs that could be used against British troops in Afghanistan.

Senior British defence officials have also raised deep concerns that a rogue scientist in the Pakistani nuclear programme "could gradually smuggle enough material out to make a weapons" - IANS

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/Qaida-plotting-nuclear-9/11-say-Wiki-cables/articleshow/7417321.cms#ixzz1CtfzJakK

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Five months before 26/11, India warned US of 'white faces' in terror camps

Feb 3, 2011

WASHINGTON: Some five months before the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack, India had warned the US about increasing " white faces" in terrorist camps along Pak-Afghan border and the attempt by jihadi groups to acquire fissile material to "fabricate a crude bomb beyond a dirty bomb".

According to a US diplomatic cable dated May 30, 2008, released by WikiLeaks the then National Security Advisor M K Narayanan had said this during a meeting with the visiting American Senators Russ Feingold and Bob Casey in New Delhi.

According to the cable, Narayanan told the Senators that the US-India relationship amounts to much more than just trade links and defence deals, but rather benefits from a mutual empathy.

Asked about terrorism, Narayanan related that training camps on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have attracted more "white faces".

"He also noted jihadi groups have attempted to acquire fissile material and have the technical competence to manufacture an explosive device beyond a mere dirty bomb," the cable said.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Five-months-before-26/11-India-warned-US-of-white-faces-in-terror-camps/articleshow/7416963.cms#ixzz1CtKpiMjh

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For better Indo-Pak ties, India suppressed infiltration figures: WikiLeaks

Feb 03 2011

Washington : In its effort to improve its ties with Pakistan, India played down the spurt in infiltration from the neighbouring country in 2008 -- the year in which Pak-based terrorists carried out the Mumbai terror attack, according to a secret US cable released by WikiLeaks.

During his meeting with the visiting US Senators Russ Feingold and Bob Casey on May 30, 2008 in New Delhi, the then National Security Advisor, M K Narayanan, said that India has downplayed increase in infiltration and has not lodged a protest before the new Pakistani government as part of its effort to improve relationship with its neighbour, the cable said.

Narayanan noted that under (Pak) President (Pervez) Musharraf from 2004 to 2006, the Composite Dialogue moved forward and infiltration dropped. The political crisis in Pakistan in 2007 stalled progress.

He said that he was "hopeful" the new leadership would continue to see dialogue as useful, and not just as "something that Musharraf did," the cable said.

"The recent Foreign Minister meetings in Islamabad helped ensure that the new government would sustain the Composite Dialogue," Narayanan recounted.

However, he regretted that infiltration and incidents have spiked recently.

Full report at: http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/745569/

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Yemeni president says he won't seek another term

Feb 2, 2011

SANNA: Yemen's president has told parliament he will not seek another term in office or hand power to his son - an apparent reaction to protests in his own country that have been inspired by Tunisia's revolt and the turmoil in Egypt.

The US-allied Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for nearly 32 years, spoke on Wednesday to lawmakers in both houses of the assembly.

Saleh said, "I won't seek to extend my presidency for another term or have my son inherit it."

Activists and opposition supporters have staged several protests in Sanaa, boldly asking for Saleh's removal and decrying reports he plans to install his son in power. The opposition has called for mass anti-Saleh rallies tomorrow in all provinces.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Yemeni-president-says-he-wont-seek-another-term-/articleshow/7412112.cms#ixzz1CtgYp8jW

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Six killed in fresh violence in Egypt

Feb 3, 2011

RANIA CAIRO: Firing from assault rifles targeted anti-government protesters in the Egyptian capital's Tahrir Square today apparently from supporters of the embattled President, killing at least six people as violence escalated just a day before the opposition's proposed massive rally on Friday to oust Hosni Mubarak.

The Egyptian army arrested people after violence was sparked by supporters loyal to Mubarak in Tahrir square on Thursday, Al Arabiya television reported, without giving numbers.

Anti-government protesters who had camped out in the square after a peaceful protest on Tuesday have called on the army to intervene.

When the violence erupted on Wednesday soldiers had not intervened.

Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak had opened fire on protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Thursday, killing four people and wounding 13, witnesses and television said.

It was the biggest spike in violence since protesters angered by oppression and hardship launched an unprecedented challenge to Mubarak's 30-year-rule 10 days ago. Many accused the government of backing the pro-Mubarak supporters.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Six-killed-in-fresh-violence-in-Egypt/articleshow/7417533.cms#ixzz1CtXhRqGa

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Protesters say now more determined to topple Mubarak

February 03, 2011

Anti-government protesters said on Thursday they were more determined than ever to topple President Hosni Mubarak after supporters loyal to him charged Tahrir Square, sparking violence that killed five people. Hundreds of people camped overnight in Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests seeking

The scene was calm after dawn broke after violence throughout Wednesday and overnight.

"One way or another we will bring Mubarak down," some chanted in the early morning.

"We will not give up, we will not sell out," others shouted.

Despite the violence, the square stayed in the control of anti-government protesters. Many protesters guarded barricades around the square against pro-Mubarak loyalists.

Television footage on Al Jazeera showed army units in the area arresting people in civilian clothes. Protesters had said on Wednesday that some pro-Mubarak supporters who attacked them had been questioned by soldiers.

Egypt's health minister said five people were killed in the violence and 836 wounded, while 86 of those were still hospitalised. Al Arabiya television, without citing sources, said more than 10 were killed and 1,500 wounded.

Protesters made makeshift clinics to provide first aid to the wounded before sending them to hospital when needed.

Gunshots, petrol bombs, stones

Full report at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Protesters-say-now-more-determined-to-topple-Mubarak/H1-Article1-658014.aspx

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Egypt's ElBaradei, Islamists reject govt talks offer

February 03, 2011

Prominent opposition activist Mohamed ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood rejected a call on Thursday by the prime minister for talks saying President Hosni Mubarak must leave office first, they said. Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq invited opposition groups to talks on Thursday. Al Jazeera and others

reported that some groups had agreed, including the liberal, nationalist Wafd party, which is a legal party. The Brotherhood is banned.

"We have refused to meet. Any negotiations are conditional on Hosni Mubarak stepping down and also conditional on security in Tahrir square," ElBaradei said.

"We would also like to add that we refuse anything that results from this meeting," said Mohammed al-Beltagi, a former member of parliament from the Brotherhood, adding that his group backed the conditions outlined by ElBaradei.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Egypt-s-ElBaradei-Islamists-reject-govt-talks-offer/H1-Article1-658081.aspx

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3 dead, 1500 injured as clashes continue in Cairo

February 03, 2011

Backers of President Hosni Mubarak skirmished into the night on Wednesday with protesters demanding he quit, after what many saw as an attempted government backed crackdown on pro democracy demonstrations. Mubarak promised on Tuesday to surrender power in September to try to defuse an

unprecedented challenge to his 30 year rule, angering protesters who want him to quit immediately and prompting the United States to say change "must begin now".

A day later, the army told reformists to go home and Mubarak backers, throwing petrol bombs, wielding sticks and charging on camels and horses, attacked protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Anti Mubarak demonstrators hurled stones back and said the attackers were police in plainclothes.

The interior ministry denied the accusation, and the Egyptian government rejected international calls for Mubarak to end his 30 year rule now.

This apparent rebuff along with the spike in violence -- after days of relatively calm demonstrations -- complicated US calculations for an orderly transition of power in Egypt. In pointed comments, a senior US official said it was clear that "somebody loyal to Mubarak has unleashed these guys to try to intimidate the protesters".

Troops and tanks stood by as the violence raged. By nightfall on Wednesday, the protesters were still holding their ground in Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the hub for protests over oppression and economic hardship now into their 10th day. Skirmishes continued well into the night and there was sporadic gunfire, with blazes caused by firebombs.

Full report at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/africa/3-dead-1500-injured-as-clashes-continue-in-Cairo/Article1-657890.aspx

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Concern over Muslim girls’ misuse of mobile phones in Bhiwandi

New Age Islam News Bureau

Bhiwandi: After burqa-clad women and especially Muslim girl students were caught with boys in brothels in the Manchester of Maharashtra, Bhiwandi, the organisation called Islah-e-Muashra has launched a campaign againt these places of adultery. They have also launched an awareness camaign aginst the misuse of mobile phones by teenage Muslim students. Through this campaign, Muslim parents and guradians are being advised to keep an eye on the use of mobile phones by their daughters and sisters.

 A representative of the Islah-e-Muashra campaign said that most of the girl students who were caught red handed said that they had mobile phones and their parents were unaware of the way they used the phones. The activists said that the girls fall in the trap of roadside romeos thanks to the facilities provided by the mobile phone companies and the ignorance of the parents and then with the help of SMS and calls, these girls come into contact of boys and fall in their trap. The activists said that during their raids in the places of adultery, they caught such girls who were students of girls schools where they could not have come into contact of boys. But they fell in the trap of boys only because of mobile phones. That’s why we have launched an awareness campaign about the use of mobiles.

Another activist said that many guardians and parents send their daughters to girls’ schools so that they do not come into contact of unwanted persons. Girls schools are there for the same purpose because many parens do not allow their girls to study in mixed schools. But the mobile phone has rendered the system of separate education ineffective.

The Islah-e-Muashra activists have published a pamphlet for this purpose. The pamphlet contains guidelines for parents and guardians how they can keep a tab on the misuse of mobile phones by their girls. Given below is content of the pamphlet.

Please think. Is mobile phone necessary for our sisters and daughters? If yes, why?

Did you check whose numbers are saved in your daughter’s mobile?

Did you check what kind of messages is received on your daughter’s mobile?

Did you check who the persons who call your daughter are?

Did you check who made a missed call to your daughter?

Did you check with whom was your daughter talking over her mobile for the last half an hour?

Did you check what kind of films and video clips are saved in your daughter’s mobile?

Did you check whose photos are saved in your daughter’s mobile?

Did you check what kind of songs and music are saved in your daughter’s mobile?

Did you check with whom your daughter is talking in privacy?

Did you check how your daughter refills her mobile?

Did you check what kind of friends your daughter has?

 Did you check what your daughter’s activities in school are?

Did you check if your daughter goes to tuition regularly?

Did you check what kind of girls are in your daughter’s friend circle in school?

Don’t you think that the burqa your daughter wears uncovers instead of covering her?

Don’t you think that your daughter’s fancy burqa has made your daughter a thing on show?

Don’t you think that your daughter’s burqa should be a little loose?

Do you know what kind of TV programmes your daughter watches?

Do you know whom she sends emails on the internet?

Do you know if your daughter offers namaz?

Do you know how much knowledge of Islam your daughter has?

Do you know if your daughter reads the Quran apart from her school text books?

Do you know why your daughter goes to meet a particular ‘friend’ every day?

Do you think that the mobile phone is really necessary for your daughter? If not, then take away her mobile phone from her and secure both your and her world and hereafter.  

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Burqa clad woman beaten up for adultery, burqa burnt in Bhiwandi

New Age Islam News Bureau

Bhiwandi: The Islah-e-Muashra (social reform) activists caught a burqa clad woman and his lover committing adultery beat them up and burnt the burqa. This was first incident of its kind in Bhiwandi which has instilled fear in women who misuse the burqa for committing adultery to hide their identity. Until now these women would carry out their immoral activities under the protective cover of burqas. A few days ago, a group of women had thrashed adulterer women and burnt their burqas. They had asked these women not to malign burqa. But soon after this, the Islah-e-Muashra activists caught another couple committing adultery and burnt the burqa after beating them. Similarly, in the Teen Batti area of Biwandi, the activists caught a Muslim girl and a non-Muslim boy in a compromising position and handed them over to police after thrashing them. It has also been learnt that a wealthy man of a populated area of Bhiwandi has bought a big flat and rents out its rooms to couples for Rs 1000 to Rs 500 a night. The women and girls fall for the lure of money. The Islah-e-Muashra activists have been keeping an eye on all such houses and buildings. Because of the raids by the activists, the adultery that were going on lodges, guest houses and private buildings is on a low.

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US warns citizens against travelling to Pakistan

Feb 3, 2011

WASHINGTON: The US has warned its nationals against travelling to Pakistan, saying that the presence of al-Qaeda, Taliban elements and indigenous militant sectarian groups in the country posed a potential danger to them.

Noting that Pakistan government has heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, it said there were indications that terror groups continued to seek opportunities to attack locations where US citizens and Westerners were known to congregate or visit, such as shopping areas, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/US-warns-citizens-against-travelling-to-Pakistan/articleshow/7417788.cms#ixzz1CtfpUvmj

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Police nab Hizbul worker who distributed Rs 70K to stone-pelters

Feb 2, 2011

SRINAGAR: A Kashmiri Hizbul Mujahideen over-ground worker (OGW) collected and distributed Rs 70,000 among the stone pelters of Kashmir.

A police press release said that the Hizbul over-ground worker Fayaz Ahmad Wani, resident of Lolipora Pattan, was arrested following a specific information by the Baramulla police on Tuesday.

One letter pad and one receit book of the banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was recovered from his possession.

The police said that during questioning, the accused disclosed that he had been collecting funds on behalf of Hizbul and was distributing the same to the families of various killed terrorists and OGWs and among the families of those people who were injured in the recent agitation.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Police-nab-Hizbul-worker-who-distributed-Rs-70K-to-stone-pelters/articleshow/7411088.cms#ixzz1CtVQ1Q2L

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Egypt protests: Third batch of Indians arrives in Mumbai

Feb 3, 2011

MUMBAI: Another batch of Indians, who were caught in the violent unrest in Cairo over the demand for ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, reached here by a special "ferry" flight of Air India today.

The special flight AI-161, a Boeing 747-800 aircraft, carrying 212 passengers on board landed at 5.22 AM at the city's Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airport, an Air India spokesperson said.

The passengers included a group of 48 staffers of the joint-venture company TCI Sunmar Chemicals, based in Portside city, some 200 kms from Cairo, who have been recalled by the company till the situation improves in the strife-hit African country.

"Since the plant is shut for the past few days in the wake of protests, the company decided to recall us. However, as soon as the situation improves we will be joining back the Portside plant again," a TCI Sunmark employee said.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Egypt-protests-Third-batch-of-Indians-arrives-in-Mumbai/articleshow/7417510.cms#ixzz1CtW2WHLR

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Israeli PM says Iran wants 'another Gaza' in Egypt

Feb 3, 2011

JERUSALEM: Israel's prime minister on Wednesday said Iran wants to take advantage of the chaos in Egypt to create "another Gaza" there, run by Islamic fundamentalists.

Speaking before the Israeli parliament, Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects any new government in Egypt to honor its three-decade-long peace agreement with Israel.

But he warned that Islamic groups have already taken over by democratic means in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza.

"Is there freedom in Iran? Is there democracy in Gaza? Does Hezbollah promote human rights?" he asked. "They (Iranians) want an Egypt that goes back to the Middle Ages. They want Egypt to turn into another Gaza, that will be run by radical forces that are against everything we want, everything the democratic world stands for."

He did not say how Iran would do this.

Full report at: The star.com

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Nitish reads the Egypt act to UPA

By Ashish Sinha In New Delhi

IT MIGHT not be the “ Egypt” effect, but Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar believes the people’s simmering anger against the UPA government, particularly on the issue of corruption, may soon turn into a groundswell for its ouster.

“ People are very angry, particularly because of the unprecedented increase in corruption. They are starting to rise against the government,” Nitish said on Wednesday at his first press meet in the Capital since returning to power in Bihar with a huge majority.

Reminded of the absence of a credible Opposition leader to take on the UPA, the Bihar CM said: “ That is not a big issue. People and political situations invariably create leaders. He could be an unknown face today.” The Janata Dal ( United) leader parried queries on whether he was ready to fill the slot or could see himself as the prime ministerial candidate if a non- Congress gov- ernment came to power at the Centre.

Nitish’s reluctance to dwell on the subject was expected.

Full report at: Mail Today

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Al-Qaeda suspects killed in Mauritania

By Laurent Prieur

Nouakchott - Three suspected al-Qaeda militants killed when their vehicle exploded during a gunfight with Mauritanian soldiers on Wednesday were planning to attack the French embassy and an army base, the government said.

The vehicle was one of three that crossed into the West African country from Mali last weekend and was pursued through the desert by Mauritanian soldiers.

Mauritanian security forces captured one vehicle containing 1.5 tons of explosives on Tuesday, arresting a militant, and a second exploded during a gun battle on Wednesday on the outskirts of the capital, Nouakchott. A third, believed to be a support vehicle, escaped.

“According to the man we captured, the convoy had two targets. There was the army base in Nouakchott but also the French embassy,” Defence Minister Hamadi Ould Hamadi told journalists.

Full report at: thestar.com

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Violence against women: 8,433 cases registered in Punjab in two years

By Iftikhar A. Khan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: The Senate was informed on Wednesday that over the past two years 8,433 cases of violence against women were registered in Punjab and a total of 11,798 all over the country.

Minister of State for Interior Tasneem Qureshi said that 1,656 cases were registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 680 in Sindh, 333 in

Balochistan, 362 in Azad Kashmir, 272 in Islamabad and 62 in Gilgit-Baltistan since January 2009.

He said the quarters concerned had been directed to act firmly against gender-based violence and district police officers, superintendents of police and station house officers had been asked to take preventive measures.

Mr Qureshi said proper investigation was carried out in such cases and the accused were arrested under Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He said special attention should be given to prosecute the cases for timely conclusion of trial.

The minister said nine women police stations had been set up in Karachi, Larkana, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad where female police officers were dealing with cases relating to women. Complaint units have been set up at Margalla and I-9 police stations in Islamabad.

Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/03/violence-against-women-8433-cases-registered-in-punjab-in-two-years.html

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Afghan, Pakistani troops exchange fire; one killed

Feb 3, 2011

MIRANSHAH (Pakistan): Afghan and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across the border on Wednesday, said officials, blaming each other for provoking the incident that left one Pakistani soldier dead.

The disputed and unmarked border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been classified by Washington as one of the most dangerous spots on Earth and a headquarters of Al-Qaeda and Taliban that fans conflict in both countries.

It was the most serious cross-border clash between Afghan and Pakistani troops since May 2007, when three civilians and a policeman were killed.

A border police commander in Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost confirmed the exchange of fire and accused Pakistan of sparking the battle. “At around 11:00 am (0630 GMT) today, Pakistani troops in Waziristan started firing heavy and light weapons towards police posts in Gurbuz district. Our soldiers returned fire,” the official said. “Their attack was completely unprovoked and without reason. The fighting is still continuing, there hasn't been casualties on our side,” he added.

A Pakistani security official said one soldier was killed and eight wounded, two of them seriously, in an intermittent exchange over four hours.

“We fired in retaliation. Our troops are using artillery and mortars,” said a senior military official in the north-western city of Peshawar.

Afghanistan and Pakistan routinely exchange recriminations on border security, accusing each other of allowing militants to infiltrate the porous and mountainous border to carry out attacks.

www.dawn.com

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I will not be President for life, says Saleh

Feb 3, 2011

SANA'A: Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, under opposition pressure to stand down, said on Wednesday he will freeze constitutional changes that would have enabled him to remain President for life.

On the eve of a “day of rage” called by civil society and opposition leaders, Mr. Saleh told Parliament he had also put off controversial plans to hold elections in April without a promised dialogue on reform, and appealed for an end to street protests.

“I will not extend my mandate and I am against hereditary rule,” said Mr. Saleh, who has head of state of the Arab world’s poorest nation been for decades but whose term is due to end in 2013.

Like embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Mr. Saleh has been accused repeatedly by the opposition of grooming his son to succeed him in a bid to create a republican dynasty.

Full report at: www.dawn.com

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Israeli PM says Iran wants 'another Gaza' in Egypt

Feb 3, 2011

JERUSALEM: Israel's prime minister on Wednesday said Iran wants to take advantage of the chaos in Egypt to create "another Gaza" there, run by Islamic fundamentalists.

Speaking before the Israeli parliament, Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects any new government in Egypt to honor its three-decade-long peace agreement with Israel.

But he warned that Islamic groups have already taken over by democratic means in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza.

"Is there freedom in Iran? Is there democracy in Gaza? Does Hezbollah promote human rights?" he asked. "They (Iranians) want an Egypt that goes back to the Middle Ages. They want Egypt to turn into another Gaza, that will be run by radical forces that are against everything we want, everything the democratic world stands for."

He did not say how Iran would do this.

Full report at: thestar.com

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7/7 bombers trained by unknown

February 03, 2011

Venkata Vemuri

The London Metropolitan Police say those behind the London underground bombings on July 7, 2005 received training and instructions from an unidentified person in Pakistan.

The revelation came during the inquest into the deaths of the 52 victims of the bombings at the royal courts of justice, here on Wednesday. The police said interrogations revealed that the bombers had no previous experience in bomb-making and had used commonly available ingredients like concentrated hydrogen peroxide and pepper.

According to their mobile phone records, they are said to have received guidance from an unidentified individual in Rawalpindi. The analysis by police revealed a series of calls made from public phone booths in Pakistan to Mohammed Sidique Khan, identified as the leader of the bombers.

The use of sequential calls from different phone booths revealed the caller's intention to keep his identity secret, while the number of calls to the bombers and their duration, in the run-up to the bombings, indicated passage of information, the inquest was told.

Detective Sergeant Mark Stuart of the Metropolitan police was asked by Hugo Keith, counsel to the inquests: "Did you assess that those calls therefore were probably connected to some guidance or some means of communicating information concerned with the manufacture of the bombs and then ultimately their detonation?" Stuart said: "Yes, I think they had to be."

http://www.dailypioneer.com

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Bangladesh: 44 Rajshahi jawans jailed

February 03, 2011

Forty-four jawans of 37 Rifles Battalion of Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) were sentenced to jail terms ranging from four months to seven years on Thursday for their involvement in 2009 mutiny in Rajshahi.

The Special Court-17 headed by Col Nazrul Islam Sarker, Kustia BDR sector commander, also fined each of the convicts Tk 100.

The court on January 2 framed charges against the accused for their involvement in the mutiny at the battalion on February 26, 2009 that killed 74 people, including 57 army officials.

Nayeb Subedar Nazrul Islam filed the case against the 44 mutineers with the special court on November 11 last year.

In the case statement, he alleged that the accused revolted against their officers at the battalion on February 26 in 2009. They looted firearms and ammunition from armoury and fired blank shots, he said, adding that the accused desecrated portrait of Shakil Ahmed, the then director general of BDR (now BGB).

http://www.thedailystar.net

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Govt asked to explain failure to stop fatwa

Mofiz Uddin and Joynal

The High Court yesterday ordered district officials in Shariatpur to explain why they failed to protect 14-year-old rape victim Hena from being whipped to death as per a fatwa on Monday.

The deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police of Shariatpur and the thana nirbahi officer of Naria upazila -- where the incident took place--will have to report to the HC in 15 days how it happened although the court (HC) had eight months ago declared fatwa illegal and a punishable offence.

In a suo moto rule, the HC directed them also to report what steps they have taken in this regard.

An HC bench comprised of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain issued the rule following press reports on the killing of Hena.

The reports said Hena was raped by her 40-year-old relative Mahbub on Sunday. Next day, a fatwa was announced at a village arbitration that she must be given 100 lashes. She fell unconscious after nearly 80 lashes.

Fatally injured Hena was rushed to Naria health complex where she succumbed to her injuries.

Full report at: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=172669

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Gunfire pounds anti-Mubarak protest camp in Cairo:

By MAGGIE MICHAEL

Feb 3, 2011

Automatic weapons fire pounded the anti-government protest camp in Cairo’s Tahrir Square before dawn on Thursday in a dramatic escalation of what appeared to be a well-orchestrated series of assaults on the demonstrators. At least three protesters were killed by gunfire, according to one of the activists.

Hours after the shooting ended, the army, which protesters have criticized for failing to intervene to protect them, moved four tanks to clear a highway overpass from where supporters of President Hosni Mubarak had continued hurling rocks and firebombs onto the protesters.

It was not immediately clear if the steps were part of a wider decision for the army to begin protecting the demonstrations.

The crowds seeking an end to Mubarak’s nearly three decades in power were still reeling from attacks hours earlier in which Mubarak supporters charged into the square on horses and camels, lashing people with whips, while others rained firebombs and rocks from rooftops.

The protesters accused Mubarak’s regime of unleashing a force of paid thugs and plainclothes police to crush their unprecedented nine-day-old movement, a day after the 82-year-old president refused to step down. They showed off police ID badges they said were wrested from their attackers. Some government workers said their employers ordered them into the streets.

Full report at: http://arabnews.com

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Women key to economic growth in Middle East

Feb 3, 2011

BEIRUT: As governments in the Middle East and around the world debate the best policies, regulations, and practices to spur economic growth in 2011 and beyond, they would benefit from looking less at regions and industries and more at demographic information and the vital role women play in driving economic growth, according to a new report published by Deloitte, The Gender Dividend: Making the Business Case for Investing in Women.

 “The message is that in the Middle East, as much as other parts of the world, the participation of women in economic activity has and will continue to spur economic growth,” said Rana Ghandour Salhab, Partner in Charge of Talent and Communications at Deloitte in the Middle East. “Indeed, the report states the case that investments in women can yield a significant ‘gender dividend’, both from women as workers and as consumers.”

Full report at: http://arabnews.com

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Hamas rejects holding elections in Palestinian territories:

By MOHAMMED MAR'I

Feb 3, 2011

RAMALLAH: The Hamas movement on Wednesday rejected holding general elections in West Bank and Gaza Strip, sources said. In a press statement, Hamas said it will boycott presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections as long as split in the Palestinian territories remains in place. The group said it wants the elections to be a result of a power-sharing agreement with President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party as part of a broader reconciliation pact.

On Tuesday, the government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad announced that it was planning to set a date for the municipal elections in its meeting next week.

The announcement came after the Palestinian High Court of Justice in Ramallah ruled that the decision to call off the elections was illegal and ordered the Palestinian government to hold the vote.

Full report at:

http://arabnews.com

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/chaos-cairo-mubarak-backers,-opponents/d/4058


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